Tendencies in presses and dies for sheet metal forming processes

This paper shows the benefits of single action presses with hydraulic multipoint cushion systems. For these press systems new die concepts have been developed. A die with a specially designed elastic blankholder is presented. Further blankholder forces can be achieved by controllable nitrogen cylinders which are integrated in the die. Hydraulic cushion systems make it possible to build up closed-loop control circuits for the blankholder force. By this a robust deep drawing process can be achieved.